Beaumont’s best craft beer bars

The appeal of craft beer in Beaumont is on the rise, as anyone who’s tried to navigate a recent beer tasting at the Del Papa distributing center could agree. As more local retailers and bars note the trend, shelves are increasingly dedicated to beers from breweries that are small, independent and unique.

Not everyone can see the appeal to adding raspberries or honey to what may be the world’s oldest fermented beverage, but as Southeast Texas is now home to two craft breweries, you can bet that the number of different ways to brew a beer will only increase in the days to come.

If you’re looking to see what the fuss is about, enjoy this list of wonderful, and at times unexpected, places to enjoy a craft beer.

WineStylesWhere: 4008 Dowlen Rd., BeaumontInfo: (409) 347-1340Online: winestyles.net/beaumont
The name may be misleading, but WineStyles has provided quite the home for local craft lovers. Monthly beer tastings, a beer club and my second-favorite variety pack selection only taps the surface of why discerning beer drinkers should visit WineStyles. The beer tastings are every second Wednesday of the month and introduce you to a host of local beer characters — and I’m not just talking about the colorful bottles here.

WineStyles is the place for those craft lovers who seek the rare and unattainable (beer club members get preferred access to coveted releases, which in this town can get pretty competitive). If you can be flexible enough to make it through a Belgian month when you’re really more of a stout-drinker, WineStyles is perfect for you.

Suga’sWhere: 461 Bowie St., BeaumontInfo: (409) 813-1808Online: sugasdeepsouth.com
On the patio of Suga’s, with plush seats, large fans, tropical greenery and the sound of a waterfall, it’s easy to feel as if you’re in the midst of a thriving downtown metropolis that would demand such a refuge. Owners have just come up with 12 more bottled reasons to enjoy the sanctuary tonight: their new craft beer menu. It’s hard to impress a craft beer aficionado, but even I found a bottle for sale that escaped my extensive knowledge.

Until recently, most foodies wouldn’t think to pair hops with heels, but the trend is moving toward bold flavored beers that are rated like fine wines. Now Suga’s has provided the perfect setting to enjoy an IPA in cocktail attire, especially during happy hour.

Luke’sWhere: 2325 Calder Ave., BeaumontInfo: (409) 347-8139Online: beaumont.lukesicehouse.net
Luke’s extensive list of bottled beers, including a section dedicated to Texas breweries, isn’t the entirety of their craft offerings. Although only two of their four draft taps could be considered craft, when they host events like the St. Arnold DR13 keg tapping, they might as well have 10 taps flowing for the number of customers lining up for a pint.

Considering their patio comes equipped with a giant Jenga set, this backdrop is the perfect environment for groups of friends, coworkers and family alike. Visit on Texas Thursdays to enjoy discounts on their Texan brews. And don’t forget their recent addition of Trivia Tuesdays, sure to pair well with any of the bottles on hand.

Major League GrillWhere: 4430 Dowlen Rd., BeaumontInfo: (409) 898-7500Online: majorleaguegrill.com
You can’t talk about craft beer without mentioning Major League Grill. This was the original craft destination for many years, and it’s the only place you can get a draft of anything from the 512 area code. Although other bars have increased their selections, it’s hard to beat more than 20 tasty taps ready to be sampled and enjoyed. Sitting at the bar counter and befriending your bartender is essential and possibly the best part of enjoying a beer here.

Buffalo Wild WingsWhere: 3939 Dowlen Rd. #11, BeaumontInfo: (409) 924-8646Online: buffalowildwings.com
Getting a pint of craft anything at Buffalo Wild Wings is hit or miss. I’ve been able to grab a pint of Rahr and Sons Ugly Pug, a Magic Hat #9 and a Southern Star Pine Belt, but sometimes the most craft on tap is a Blue Moon. What they do consistently well is offer international favorites such as Stella Artois and Guinness, which is near impossible to find on tap in Southeast Texas. I know one can hardly consider those two beers “independent and small”, but let’s keep things in perspective: in other countries, Budweiser is considered an import. I’m not ashamed to admit I enjoy glasses of Stella as a drinkable partner to hot wings.

Starvin’ Marvin’sWhere: 2310 N 11th St., BeaumontInfo: (409) 347-0058Online: starvinmarvinsbeaumont.com
This is more honorable mention than an accolade, but you can hardly beat $6 32-ounce drafts of Shiner or St. Arnold’s seasonal underneath the shade of Starvin’ Marvin’s patio. Visit on Sundays to watch a sporting event and enjoy those tall glasses for $1 off, but bring a designated driver. Please.

One amazing thing about craft beer is its tendency toward localization. The craft market from town to town, state to state, changes dramatically, providing insight to a local culture that only takes a glimpse of a beer menu to discover. I’ve often wondered, staring at local menus devoid of anything outside the Anheuser-Busch product line, or bartenders who answer my “craft” question by suggestion Lone Star, or waitresses who think (admittedly, as I did years ago) that St. Arnold is an international brand, what our community thinks about beer.

The beautiful thing is that the answer to that question is changing, and as part of the beer community, you have a say in what beers are available in Southeast Texas. All it takes is starting the conversation. So celebrate American Craft Beer Week by enjoying a finely crafted beer at one of the locations above, which weren’t afraid to stock beers they weren’t sure would sell, and let their managers know how grateful you are to have options in a Bud Light-dominated world.